From serene mountain views to swanky city scenes, there’s a rooftop in California where your personal version of paradise awaits. Near-perfect weather combined with natural beauty and idyllic sunsets mean you can (and should) elevate your afternoon or evening year-round.

Some of the best meals in the Golden State can be enjoyed up high under a ceiling of stars. Head to the coast where you can gaze at the sea while tasting its bounty. Just north of San Diego at George’s at the Cove, named one of the 10 best restaurants in the world by Fodor’s Choice, California cuisine is served on every level. Reserve a seat at the rooftop Ocean Terrace, which looks out over the La Jolla shoreline. Soak up inland wonders in agricultural capitals like Sonoma County. At Healdsburg’s Single Thread (which boasts three Michelin stars), chef Kyle Connaughton serves 11 courses of hyperlocal food above the equally exceptional inn of the same name.

Forget the old saying about swimming after dinner and jump right in at a rooftop pool. The Sawyer in Sacramento, The Andaz in San Diego, and the Rowan Palm Springs are just a few of the hip hotels where you can make a seven-plus story splash. Get your own private pool boy—ahem, concierge—at The London West Hollywood, and let someone else attend to your every fresh cocktail desire.

Experience new-school Hollywood glamour firsthand at one of L.A.’s many rooftop clubs. For a truly top-notch experience, try Spire 73, the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. Wherever you travel in California, there’s almost certainly a rooftop nearby, where views and fun are a mere elevator ride away.

L.A.’s Rooftop Retreats

The sun sliding below the western horizon, a blanket of city lights spread out at your feet, the Hollywood Sign glowing from its hillside perch—these are memorable sights from any vantage point, but there’s nothing quite like taking them in from a rooftop in the middle of Los Angeles. One of the best things about L.A. is the weather, and sunny days offer an extra bonus: warm evenings and nights. So relaxing outside, perhaps on cushy banquettes around a swimming pool glowing with cool blue light—well, it doesn’t get much sexier than that.

For a sultry, see-and-be-seen experience, head to E.P & L.P. This West Hollywood spot is part swanky Asian restaurant (E.P) and part rooftop club (L.P.). Rub shoulders with the stars as you sip a spiked boba tea and gaze out at the glimmering Hollywood Hills. Those preferring a lower profile should retreat to the nearby Rooftop at the Palihouse. Lush greenery, stylish chairs, and chic lanterns complement 360-degree views and hibiscus cocktails. For a brush with the super exclusive, book a room at WeHo’s Petit Ermitage. Open only to hotel guests, the rooftop is pure magic with its saltwater pool, seasonal cocktails, and a butterfly garden so legit it’s recognized as a sanctuary by the National Wildlife Federation.

Another excellent option is The Roof on Wilshire, above the Hotel Wilshire in the heart of Downtown. Relax on wraparound banquettes to watch the skyline light up, and sip on one of the bar’s signature mule-style drinks until the stars come out. Also in the Downtown neighborhood is Upstairs Bar at the Ace Hotel, with tropical drinks and views of the towering San Gabriel Mountains. A new addition to DTLA, The Rooftop at The Nomad serves tiki cocktails and inspired ice-cream sandwiches on the terracotta deck, which is dotted with lemon trees. Just a few blocks away is the literal pinnacle of the city’s nightlife: Spire 73, which sits atop the Intercontinental Hotel and is the highest outdoor bar in the Western Hemisphere. If you want a wacky and unforgettable night, try to nab one of the spaceship-like waterbed pods alongside the pool at The Rooftop at The Standard, Downtown LA. Or head to The Fonda Theatre, where rooftop guests can watch a live feed of the night’s performance.

Rooftop Hotspots in Palm Springs

For nearly a century, Palm Springs has served as a glamorous escape for desert dreamers and the Hollywood elite. And there’s no better place to play starlet-on-her-holiday than on a rooftop lounge with a cocktail in hand. Thanks to a recent revival, downtown Palm Springs boasts a handful of high-up spots where its trendiest visitors love to lounge. Whether you’re in the mood for dinner with a view, poolside drinks, or a full-on party, Palm Springs has the perfect rooftop spot for you.

In November 2017, the Kimpton Rowan Hotel Palm Springs opened its swanky doors to become the tallest building within city limits. Head all the way to the top of this mid-century modern structure to enjoy the only rooftop pool in all of Palm Springs at High Bar. Enjoy views of vibrant palm trees, framed by the hazy San Jacinto mountains as you sip your piña colada and dangle your feet in turquoise water.

Kimpton’s roof also plays host to the desert city’s highest restaurant, 4 Saints. Executive chef Stephen Wambach, who previously led the kitchen at Chicago’s Four Seasons, blends French technique with local ingredients and whimsical flair. The ever-changing menu features dishes like artichoke salad with miso dressing and shaved black truffle. Enjoy exceptional cuisine as you gaze out onto a desert panorama.

For an equally delicious (and exceptionally photo-friendly) adventure, head to Sugar High at Azucar Restaurant & Bar. Enjoy Mediterranean fare surrounded by iron chandeliers and colorful portraits of Frida Kahlo before stargazing from the rooftop lounge. A tiled fireplace and sheepskin throws ward off the post-sundown chill, as does the Spicy Melon cocktail, made with mulled jalapeño, watermelon, and mezcal.

Wherever you start the evening, end the night at Moxie, where letting it all hang loose is practically a requirement. Every Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, the laid-back bar turns into a full-fledged dance party with a DJ spinning until 2 a.m. Fuel your moves with cold beer and fried pickles served all night.

San Diego’s Best Rooftop Bars

The sky’s the limit at these high-up hotspots offering everything from craft beer to high-end cocktails

A cocktail somehow tastes even better when paired with a beautiful view—and San Diego has some stunners. Experience America’s Finest City in all her glory from the luxurious perch of a rooftop bar. Whether you’re in the mood for poolside glamour or board short bliss, there’s a sky-high bar for you.

If you’re in the mood for a swanky hotspot, head to downtown San Diego. Atop the Pendry Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter sits The Pool House, complete with turquoise tiling and oasis-like cabanas (open to the public 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily). At 14 stories high, The Nolen offers skyline views, best enjoyed over a make-your-own mimosa during Sunday brunch. Also up high (on the 12th floor) sits the iconic Mister A’s, where you can sip cocktails while watching airplanes fly over the skyline. Coming with a big group? Reserve a coveted cabana—either for brunch or evening cocktails—at the rooftop lounge at Kettner Exchange in Little Italy.

Get your own private box at a Padres game (no tickets required) at Altitude Sky Lounge, which has an unobstructed view of Petco Park. Or travel through time on the roof of the award-winning steakhouse, Born and Raised. Don Draper vibes permeate both the mid-century design and the cocktail menu: gimlets, martinis, and Manhattans—straight up.

As the unofficial craft brewing capital of California, San Diego boasts a number of high-up hoppy options. Relax oceanside at Amplified Ale Works (babies and dogs are welcome on the rooftop). Equally laid-back, the Pacific Beach Alehouse is known for creative brews, exceptional skewers, and dynamite sunset views. Just five miles south, OB Brewery serves beer flights on wooden surfboards right next to Ocean Beach Pier. For a rowdy time, check out the massive 10 Barrel Brewing, where fresh beer is washed down with elevated comfort food (think pork belly & watermelon salad).

Regions

Pick a region form the map or the list below to explore.

Regions

Scroll down to explore the twelve regions of California.

1. Shasta Cascade

This region, in California’s northeast corner, is known for mountains, forests, waterfalls, and amazing, safe-to-visit volcanoes. The region, a 3-hour drive north of Sacramento, gets its name from the rugged Cascade Mountains and their signature peak in state, 14,180-foot/4,322-meter Mount Shasta—yes, a volcano.

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2. North Coast

With crashing waves along the coast and soaring redwood trees blanketing miles of uncrowded parkland, this is one of California’s most spectacular regions. The largest city, Eureka, is roughly a 5-hour drive north of San Francisco—but what a drive: see lush wine country, charming hamlets, spouting whales, and breathtaking sunsets.

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3. Gold Country

The western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range, defining California’s eastern border, are known as the Gold Country, named after the rich Mother Lode discovered here in the mid-1850s. While gold is still found in the region, new riches include top museums and art in Sacramento, the state capital, plus whitewater rafting, tucked-away towns, farm-fresh dining, and award-winning wines.

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4. San Francisco Bay Area

On the western oceanfront of Northern California, at the state’s distinctive bend along the coast, lies this breathtaking region. It’s framed by an unforgettable gateway—the iconic Golden Gate Bridge—spanning the mouth of San Francisco Bay. Explore diverse cities, picturesque hamlets, family-friendly beaches, coastal parklands, and wine country, including Napa and Sonoma wine country, 1½ hours north of San Francisco.

5. High Sierra

Nicknamed “California’s backbone,” this region of towering granite peaks defines much of the state’s eastern boundary. Visit Yosemite Valley, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, and the giant trees of Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks—all within a day’s drive of either San Francisco or L.A. In winter, enjoy snow sports; in summer, go hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or boating.

6. Central Valley

Running right down the middle of California, this broad region contains some of most productive farmland in the world. Wine country around Lodi features big, bold reds. Further south, Fresno has a lively arts scene.

8. Deserts

This dramatic region takes up the southeastern half of the state. Remarkable desert parklands, including Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Anza-Borrego, provide an extraordinary chance to explore, while the oasis-like allure of Palm Springs, 3 hours northeast of San Diego, offers sunny resort-style getaways, with golf, tennis, spas, and high-end shopping.

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9. Inland Empire

This densely populated Southern California region has surprising alpine getaways, like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, in the impressive San Bernardino Range. On the region’s sunny east side, explore the inviting Temecula Valley wine region. The university town of Riverside is the region’s largest city. San Bernardino, the second largest city, has museums and impressive shopping, while Fontana has NASCAR racing.

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10. Los Angeles County

This sunny region along the state’s southern coast is California’s most populated region, best known as the capital of the entertainment industry. Here, movie stars really do work in Hollywood, play in the surf at Malibu, and shop in Beverly Hills. Looping freeways make the car king, but the region also has a surprisingly good network of buses and light rail—a hassle-free way to explore.

11. Orange County

Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, this region is known for flawless beaches and “the happiest place on earth,” Disneyland Resort. Anaheim, the theme park’s home, offers a surprisingly hip vibe in a refurbished downtown. Newport Beach has dazzling yachts, Huntington Beach has iconic surfing, and Costa Mesa beckons with top shopping.

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12. San Diego County

This sun-and-surf region is known for some of the best weather and warmest water in the state. San Diego, the state’s second largest city, is home to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, one of the world’s great urban parks. For family fun, play at SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California. Inland, discover surprising mountain towns like Julian, known for orchards and apple pie.